Idea Share- Favorite quilting internet site or link

Congratulations to Holly for winning last month's prize for our idea share! Thanks to everyone who left a comment with their best quilting tip. I know I learned some new ideas! This month we would like everyone to share a favorite quilting internet site or link. Remember, everyone who makes a comment or writes a post on this topic will be entered to win a prize at next months meeting.

Online Resources

Free Pattern Resources

http://www.fatquarterfactory.com/Free_Patterns.html
These are all charm square patterns. They could be easily adapted to other sizes.

http://www.quilterscache.com/
This website is a wealth of information. There are lessons on things like paper piecing, applique, and color theory that you can choose from a drop down menu. There is also a huge list of patterns (hundreds!)if you choose “Quilt Blocks Galore” from the drop down menu.

http://www.allpeoplequilt.com
This is part of the Better Homes and Gardens website. They have several free patterns available to print as well as tips, tricks, and videos you can watch. New patterns are added all the time.

http://www.quiltingboard.com/forums/show/10.page
This is a message board where people patterns and techniques. Most posts are written as tutorials that walk you through how to put the block together. You can also post a question looking for a pattern that you may be having trouble finding.

http://www.sewingrepublic.com/projectIdeas.html
This website features a new project to sew each week, complete with instructions. You can also search previous projects.

Free Patterns from Fabric Manufacturers
Almost all major fabric manufacturers offer free patterns to download and print that go along with their fabric lines. Here are some links to those.

http://amybutlerdesign.com/mainmenu.php
There is a link to dozens of free patterns here- everything from quilts to bags to wall hangings.

http://www.andoverfabrics.com/QuiltDesigns/QuiltDesigns.asp
Free patterns from Andover Fabrics

http://www.benartex.com/projects/p_archives.php
Free patterns from Benartex

http://www.classiccottons.com/t-freequiltpatterns.aspx
Free patterns from Classic Cottons

http://www.clothworkstextiles.com/patterns.asp
Free patterns from Clothworks Textiles

http://www.freespiritfabric.com/core-pages/patterns.php
Free patterns from Free Spirit Fabrics

http://www.hoffmanfabrics.com/content/content-folder.asp?FolderID=7
Free patterns from Hoffman Fabrics

http://www.inthebeginningfabrics.com/freepatterns.htm
Free patterns from In The Beginning Fabrics

http://konabay.com/quilting-fabric/category/Free_Patterns_to_Download.html
Free patterns from Kona Bay Fabrics

http://www.marcusbrothers.com/makeit/index.html
Free patterns from Marcus Brothers

http://www.michaelmillerfabrics.com/MMF/DownLoad.cfm?Gid=1160
Free patterns from Michael Miller Fabrics

http://www.northcott.net/index.cfm?action=quilts
Free patterns from Northcott Fabrics.

http://www.unitednotions.com/un_main.nsf/free_patterns/
Free patterns from Moda Fabrics

http://www.pbtex.com/html/free_patterns.html
Free patterns from P & B Textiles

http://www.rjrfabrics.com/patterns/by_designer.cfm?designerID=3
Free patterns from RJR Fabrics

http://www.redroosterfabrics.com/quilt/
Free patterns from Red Rooster Fabrics

http://www.robertkaufman.com/quilting/quilts_patterns/
Free patterns from Robert Kaufman Fabrics

http://www.ttfabrics.com/patterns/index.shtml
Free patterns from Timeless Treasures Fabrics

Videos
http://quiltinaday.com/theater/library.html
At this link you can watch Eleanor Burns Quilt in a Day video series.

http://www.expertvillage.com/tag/quilting.htm
This link has video clips showing how to do lots of different things.

http://www.hgtv.com/simply-quilts/video/index.html
Video clips from HGTV shows showing different quilts and techniques.

www.youtube.com
If there is anything you want to see a video of, you can enter it in the search box at You Tube, and chances are good someone has made a video of it. (I found a good one showing how to use the June Tailor Shapecut ruler when I first got it and wasn’t quite sure what to do.)

Online Stores
There are more stores online than you could shop at if you worked at it all day everyday (trust me…) For most things, it’s probably easier and just as cost effective to shop locally (to save shipping costs, be able to actually see fabrics, support local retailers, etc.) However, no one store can carry every line and sometimes stores sell out of a particular piece you need, and that’s where online shopping can be a lifesaver. Just remember to check shipping costs ahead of time- that can be a difference of several dollars a yard when you calculate it in. Here are a few shops we’ve purchased from with good customer service and prices.
http://www.fatquartershop.com
http://quilthome.com
http://www.wishuponaquilt.com/
http://www.sadiesquiltingtreasures.com/index.htm
http://www.contemporarycloth.com/cgi-bin/Store/store.cgi
http://www.reprodepotfabrics.com/
http://www.clotilde.com/
http://www.sewmamasew.com/
Http://desperatequilters.com
(Good sales on charm packs and jelly rolls)
http://www.beckysquiltsandcomforts.com/
http://www.connectingthreads.com/QuiltingB.aspx
(Carries their own line of fabric that is only $5.98/yard, and has good thread prices)
http://www.myquiltingcottage.com/
(Just sells precuts on their online store, but great prices- Jelly Rolls are $25.99 including shipping)
http://www.fabricshack..com
This store has more fabric all in one place than any other I’ve found. If you think you can’t get it anymore, check here before you give up.
http://www.overrainbow.com/
They add new fabrics to their sale list nearly every day. They also carry patterns.
http://www.ebay.com
If you haven’t shopped on eBay for fabric, it is definitely worth a look. It’s a great place to find “out of production” fabrics, and if you have lots of free time you can catch auctions at bargain prices (I frequently pick up charm packs for around $3..) You don’t have to bid, either, there are plenty of “Buy it Now” items that just have a set price. As for reliability, if you check the sellers rating, you can shop very safely- just be sure to choose someone who has an established reputation as a trustworthy seller.
http://www.etsy.com
Etsy is like the biggest craft fair imaginable, just online. The only things that can be sold on Etsy are handmade goods, or supplies to make handmade goods. You can search for fabrics or patterns, and if you don’t find what you are looking for in a regular search, try clicking the tab to search under “supplies.” There are also LOTS of fabric sets for sale, if you are looking for coordinated bundles of fabric to use together. Again, check the seller reviews, but for what it’s worth, I’ve made dozens of purchases here and never had a problem. It’s also just fun to browse items that are being sold to find inspiration for things you want to make.

There are Yahoo groups for everything. Just go to www.yahoo.com and search under “Groups” for things that interest you. One I have used is:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SewItsForSale/
This was suggested to me as a great place to shop for a “pre-loved” sewing machine, but there is a lot more there as well. You must apply for membership, and then you may list for sale any sewing related items. You can also browse the listings and buy things. I just purchased a “bundle” of 22 quilt magazines for $14 (plus shipping) which is a fun way to decide which magazines you like best before subscribing, or to get back issues of favorites magazines you may have missed.

moda bake shop

Hey ladies,
I just checked out the newest 'recipe' for moda bake shop and it is darling for Valentines. I also went to the site of the contributor, Piece N Quilt. She has some darling quilts and tutorials. I thought the spray starch applique method was interesting and I might try it. This site will be another one that I add to my favorites, along with the dozens of others I have for favorites. I guess that just about anything quilting is my favorite!
Linda

Did you read the bad news?!?!

AmandaJean is ending the Crazy Mom Quilts blog. It is my FAVORITE quilting blog, and I'm so sad about this. She says she'll leave it up as a reference, but nothing new. (Although she will still post quilts at her flickr account.) Sad, sad, sad....

Fun little giveaway...

Green Fairy Quilts is giving away a super cute pumpkin table runner- leave a comment to be entered to win!

http://greenfairyquilts.blogspot.com/2009/10/show-and-tell-pumpkin-table-runner.html

Anybody going to the Holiday Quilt Hop this weekend? Want to meet up for dinner or something?

On Line Shop Hop

I know that we are on fabric shop overload after just getting back from the shop hop, but I just found a link for an on line shop hop that looks kind of fun! Visit fabshophop.com to check it out! (I put a link on the side bar) I also added a link for quiltsoup.com that is another fun website.

Another link (or two...)

This blog has the coolest "sew-along" with week by week instructions on everything included- choosing fabric, fixing cutting mistakes, piecing a back, putting the "quilt sandwich" together, even free motion quilting on your machine. You can find it here:
http://www.ohfransson.com/oh_fransson/quiltalong.html

Also, I just ordered some fabric from https://zandsfabrics.com, and they had a smoking good clearance section. I ordered five (or ten) yards that was only $3.59/yard. Their new stuff isn't bad either- I needed some of the Moda Sweet line that they didn't have in town, and they had it for only $7.50/yard.

Another cool shopping find is http://www.thousandsofbolts.com . They carry fabric lines that are a little older, but super cheap (mostly 3-6 dollars a yard.) Also, they have 108" backing fabrics starting at $8.95 a yard.

Yes, I do other things besides playing online. Sometimes. Just not today.

Wow!

I'm not sure how I neglected this site before, but I've just planned out five future projects I must do from these fun patterns. Someone smarter than me (so pretty much anyone!) can add a link in the sidebar.

http://www.modabakeshop.com/

Now I have more excuses to keep buying those fabulous little charm packs! (Not to mention jelly rolls, turnovers, etc...)

Hey, Carolyn! (and anyone else who likes aprons...)

Have you looked at any of these apron patterns?

http://tipnut.com/56-free-apron-patterns-you-can-make/

http://tipnut.com/free-apron-patterns-tutorials/

http://tipnut.com/free-apron-patterns/

Maybe one of those would work?